by India Today World DeskThe bedchamber sword of Tipu Sultan, the 18th-century ruler of Mysore, has sold for 14 million pounds ($17.4 million or Rs 143 crore) at Bonhams Islamic and Indian Art Sale, a London auction house. This is a new auction world record for an Indian and Islamic item.
According to a press release by Bonhams, the sword was estimated at around £1,500,000–2,000,000. Bonhams further stated that the sword was the most important weapon with a proven personal relationship with the ruler.
“This magnificent sword is the greatest of all weapons belonging to Tipu Sultan that is still in private hands. It has a close personal association with the Sultan, its impeccable provenance to the day it was captured, and its manufacture The exquisite craftsmanship attached makes it unique and highly desirable,” said Oliver White, Bonhams head of Islamic and Indian art and auctioneer.
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“The sword has an extraordinary history, an astonishing provenance and unmatched craftsmanship. It was no surprise that there was such a heated contest between the two phone bidders and the one bidder in the room. We are pleased with the result Neema Sagarchi, group head of Islamic and Indian art at Bonhams, said in a statement.
“As Francis Buchanan describes in his on-the-spot account describing Tipu’s palace immediately after the siege, a sword was within reach of the Sultan when he was asleep. (Constantly alert against attack On stay, Tipu slept in a swing hanging from the ceiling. His locked and bolted bedchamber with a pair of pistols and a sword beside him. The weapon is of exceptional quality. The blade, on which is inscribed ‘Ruler’s Sword’, Particularly fine. It was produced by the following Mughal swordsmen The model of the German blade was introduced in India in the 16th century. Exquisitely carved with five of God’s attributes and two invocations invoking God by name The hilt is inlaid in executed gold calligraphy,” read the statement.
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According to the auction house, after Tipu Sultan was executed, his sword was presented to British Major General David Baird as a symbol of his courage.
Tipu Sultan succeeded his father as ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in South India in 1782. He earned the title of ‘Tiger of Mysore’ for the ferocity with which he protected the interests of his kingdom. He pioneered the use of rocket artillery in wars against both neighboring states and the East India Company, of which he was a staunch opponent.
His reign was also characterized by the introduction of a new calendar and coinage system, and other administrative and financial reforms, which built on his father’s work and transformed Mysore into the most dynamic economy in India.
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